What
Are
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella?

Measlesis an infection from a virus. It can cause rash, cough, runny nose, and fever. It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.

Mumps
is an infection from a virus. It can cause fever, headache, muscle pain, lack of hunger, and swollen glands. It can lead to deafness, infection of the brain and spinal cord covering, painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and sterility.

Rubella
is an infection from a virus. It can cause rash, mild fever, orarthritis. Pregnant women who have it are at higher risk for
miscarriage. Their babies may be born with birth defects.

What Is the Measles, Mumps, RubellaVaccine?

The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is 3 live viruses. The viruses in it have been made harmless.

It is given under the skin.

Who Should Get Vaccinated and When?

Most children should get it twice:

Once at 12 to 15 months

Once at 4 to 6 years (when starting school)—it can be given earlier, but the 2 doses must be given at least 4 weeks apart

It can also be given to babies younger than 12 months but older than 6 months, who will travel to other countries. They should also get the 2 routine shots at ages 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years.

Adults born after 1956 who have not been vaccinated before may need at least 1 dose. Talk with your doctor if you were not vaccinated before.

What Are the Risks Associated With the MMR Vaccine?

Most people who get the vaccine do not have any problems. The most common ones are a fever and a rash 1 to 2 weeks after it is given. There may be redness and swelling at the site. Rare problems are:

Who Should Not Get Vaccinated?

Most children and teens should get their vaccines on time. Certain groups should not get them:

People who have problems with their immune system—If you have HIV and are doing well, you should think about getting it. Measles can cause death if you have HIV.

People being treated with drugs that affect the immune system

People who have cancer or are being treated for it

People with a low platelet count should talk to their doctor about whether to get it

People who have gotten another vaccine within the past 4 weeks

People who have had a recent transfusion or who have received other blood products should talk to their doctor about whether to get it

Pregnant women—Do not try to get pregnant for at least 1 month after getting it

Prior allergic reaction to the vaccine or its parts

What Other Ways Can Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
Be Prevented?

If you have measles, mumps, or rubella, you should be kept apart from other people to stop it from spreading. Stay home until it is over. Let others you have been in contact with know that they may have been exposed to the virus.

What Happens in the Event of an Outbreak?

A case of the measles, mumps, or rubella needs to be reported to public health authorities. If you think you or your child has it, call the doctor right away.

Anyone who may have been exposed and has not been fully immunized will need to get the vaccine.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Measles, mumps, and rubella: vaccine use and strategies for elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome and control of mumps: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00053391.htm.
Published May 22, 1998. Accessed July 17, 2018.

MMR vaccine: What you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mmr.pdf.
Updated February 12, 2018. Accessed July 17, 2018.